Recording studio and the Ruralists revive Sioux Center sound

Dordt College is making an effort to foster a growing appreciation for music. This semester, the college built its own recording studio in an effort to encourage the development of individual sound and generate a creative atmosphere on campus.

The recording studio is a major step forward in encouraging students to create their own music and to create new sounds for Dordt.

Marta Vander Top, a senior worship arts major, said Dordt is very supportive and encourages the creativeness and freedom of musical talents.

“I think that by having our own songs, our own sound, [we can] create our own atmosphere – not just worship-wise, but creative-wise,” Vander Top said.

The Ruralists

Recording studios like the one on campus allow students to express their music and feed off each others’ creativeness – furthering the development of a musical atmosphere at Dordt. Though they use different facilities, bands such as the Ruralists and the Aircraft are only two of Dordt’s leading examples of how much music has grown at Dordt – impacting both students (the Aircraft) and faculty (the Ruralists).

Junior Seth Weirup said that getting to watch his professors perform original music is an inspiration for his own music career.

“It allows me to see a face-to-face person that followed the dreams that I have,” Weirup said. “[They] did something tangible.”

More than just a hobby, music is used for engaging in worship. Freshman Tianna Veldhuisen said that seeing people in administrative positions use their talents to lead others in worship is what inspires her and encourages her love of music.

“Seeing people like Jon De Groot, who are in leadership positions, prioritizing something so important is inspirational,” Veldhuisen said.

The effects of Dordt fostering and engaging in musical talents is inspiring a growing number of students. TheWashington Monthly calls Dordt College a “best bang for the buck” school, and this name goes beyond the academic aspects of the college. Highly ranked for student engagement, the growing appreciation of music at Dordt College is inspiring students and professors alike to express their creativity and love for music.